Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Chairman for convening this meeting. It is extremely important that we are all here today to discuss this matter. We were all horrified, shocked and sickened after watching the cruelty, emotional abuse and physical heavy-handedness of staff caring for children. We witnessed the exclusion and isolation of children, seeing children being flung on to a sleeping mat and being shouted at. It could have been a great deal worse. We were spared because we did not get to see the facial expressions of the children as their identity was withheld.

A question that sprung to mind when watching the programme was why it took RTE and an undercover child care worker to expose these practices. We have all expressed our shock. What does it take for the HSE to close facilities? Unfortunately there seems to be a certain culture in these facilities because in one short week, a new staff member was able to expose the ongoing practices.

I have been contacted, as I am sure many other have been, by parents, numerous crèches and child care facilities and it would be wrong not to acknowledge the good work that is being done in the sector. It behoves all of us, whether the Opposition or Government, to ensure that adequate corrective measures are put in place to ensure the safety and well being of all our children, that they are being looked after in a warm and loving environment, that we alleviate the concerns and address the breach of trust on behalf of parents. In my opinion, there are some actions which the Minister can take immediately.